Tucker Heneghan uses powerful backhand to lead Holland Christian past Holland

HOLLAND - Tucker Heneghan did everything he could last year to prepare for No. 1 singles.

At No. 2 singles, he lost just two matches, one in the state tournament, and build his all-around game into a powerhouse.

This year, the Holland Christian senior is the No. 1 singles player in the Maroons lineup, and thriving.

"Things at No. 1 have definitely been a little tougher for sure," Heneghan said. "It took a little bit of an adjustment with a few rough matches, but now I am finally starting to play great."

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Heneghan defeated Holland's Aiden Sin 6-1, 6-1 on Monday, leading the Maroons to a 6-2 win over the Dutch at Holland High School.

"This rivalry is great. Aiden and I have been friends for a while and been on the court a lot together. It is great playing someone you know and can share a laugh with after the match," he said. "My serve was pretty tough today and it was an overall pretty solid match."

But despite the friendly atmosphere of the rivalry, both teams intensely want the victory.

"When we made a list of goals, this was one of our top goals. We have a lot of friends there, but we always want to beat Holland," he said.

With solid groundstrokes, Heneghan has been working on pinpointing his backhand returns.

"I have been working on my backhand. A lot of it is confidence, not necessarily technique," he said.

Holland Christian assistant coach Sally Swets said Heneghan is progressing well at No. 1.

"Tucker played a really good match," she said. "He didn't come out with the intensity, but (built up to it) and played extremely well."

Heneghan and the Maroons have made deep runs into the state tournament the past few seasons and are hoping to do so again.

"I need to work on my serve, and this is my senior year. I want to stay in very match," he said. "I know I only have a limited amount left. I want to dig in super hard every match."

The match

Holland Christian won 6-2 winning three singles flights and three doubles flights.

No. 1 singles: Holland Christian's Tucker Heneghan defeated Aiden Sin 6-1, 6-1.

No. 2 singles: Holland's Andrew Lubbers defeated Leif Bauman 6-1, 6-3.

No. 3 singles: Holland Christian' Josh Dawson defeated Graham VanFaasen 6-0, 6-0.

No. 4 singles: Holland Christian's Dylan Becksvoort defeated James Baer 1-6, 6-3, 10-4.

No. 1 doubles: Holland's Sam Payne-Elliot Wehrmeyer defeated Simon Langejans-Henry Langejans 6-1, 6-1.

No. 2 doubles: Holland Christian's Tryg Tanis-Mitchell Boerman defeated Emmett Book-Oscar Miller 6-3, 6-2.

No. 3 doubles: Holland Christian's Jackson Engbers-Tyler Hemmeke defeated Connor Huizinga-Willem Evenson 6-1, 6-3.

No. 4 doubles: Holland Christian's Evan Disselkoen-Hayden Bauman defeated Owen Baer-Harper Prutch 6-3, 6-2.